Glorious First Day Ever on Lake Michigan Friday

[320Bob]

Launched my boat on Friday into bright sunshine, 60 degrees, and less than 1 footers as the pictures below indicate! Lake Michigan is awesome and special thanks to my expert co-captain, Dan Thomas, who provided much needed help and advice. Another very pleasant surprise was at the Skipper Bud's gas dock. Filled up with over 100 gallons of premium and it cost less per gallon than what I paid for premium at the pump that morning before driving up to Northpoint Harbor. On top of that, since I signed up for winter heated storage there, I got an additional 20 cent per gallon discount.:smt038

BTW: Unlike another prominent member who will remain nameless but took 3 tries to dock his boat in Michigan City, I got it in on my first try in a brand
new marina!:wink:

 

[sbw1]

Sunday was sunny as well. Took a nice ride from our storage marina to our home. Boat is all nice and clean and we are on our way down to listen to a little jazz and enjoy a drink before dinner. Good to be back aboard.

 

[Daniel P Thomas]

Bob

Glad to be of assistance.

Cherish that gas price!!
Just saw $5.65 per gallon on the River south of the O'Brien Locks.
Talk about gouging!!!!

Tuning up the dinghy motor this week.
May be the only water transport I am able to afford this summer.


Hmmmm....Wonder what Hammond would charge just to put my dinghy in the slip vs. the boat??
May have to inquire!

Oh and Bob, I am not going to post the antenna picture for a bit, as I have been invited back for another ride!

Dan

 

[MonacoMike]

Sounds like fun, I'm jealous. MM

 

[320Bob]

Bob

...Cherish that gas price!!
Just saw $5.65 per gallon on the River south of the O'Brien Locks.
Talk about gouging!!!!...Oh and Bob, I am not going to post the antenna picture for a bit, as I have been invited back for another ride!

Dan

That price is one reason why I would never have my boat anywhere in the city of Chicago. Check out prices on this website - Hammond looks better than Winthrop Harbor:
http://www.themarinernetwork.com/fuel_docks_prices.php

As for the antenna picture...remember the water is very cold in Lake Michigan at this time of year and I don't require my passengers to wear life jackets!:smt018

 

[320Bob]

...Yes, it took me three tries, but I did it with style....that has to count for something, right?

Hey, you said friday right? As I recall, the winds were dead calm.....

I was handicapped because it was a brand new unfamiliar marina and had to dodge a dredging boat on the way in on the channel! And style only counts from the Hoosier judge!!!:grin:

 

[Nauti 97]

I launched on Friday as well, my first cruise ever with the new 370.
What a fantastic trip.
paid 4.65 a gallon for gas. Oh well the summer of enjoyment is worth the price.
Lake michigan was absolutely fantastic.

 

[Stray Cat]

Bob, in your first picture, does the "forklift" operator carry the boat that high so he can see where he is going? I've not seen a boat launched with one, just curious...must be one hell of a lift truck!

 

[Escapade]

Bob- Excellent day! Glad you made on such a nice day. Will it ever warm up? We may drop mid week. We are waiting at the travel lift. Wont be long now. Mike

 

[firecadet613]

Bob, seems like you had perfect water for your first day on the big lake! Hope to see you out there this summer.

 

[320Bob]

Bob, in your first picture, does the "forklift" operator carry the boat that high so he can see where he is going? I've not seen a boat launched with one, just curious...must be one hell of a lift truck!

The fork lift in my pictures was just purchased over the winter by Skipper Bud's and has either a 22K or 25K lb. lift capacity. They have dry stack storage at North Point Marina and it has extra travel up to reach the higher racks and a negative lift capability like you saw in my picture to lower into the water. They told me it can handle anything up to a a Sea Ray 340. Here are a couple more pictures.

 

[wish2fish]

that first picture would have my heart racing. Boat so high in the air, coming down slight grade.

 

[Pietro]

I’m getting more and more envious!!!

I splashed 10 days ago and it has been raining since!!! :smt013

 

[Brutus C Paw]

Bob:

If you are making plans for the summer, our Skipper Bud salesman is doing a Captain's led cruise to Sturgeon Bay out of Racine July 20 to 24. We are planning on doing the trip, and we always have a great time. Let me know if you would like more info.

 

[320Bob]

Bob:

If you are making plans for the summer, our Skipper Bud salesman is doing a Captain's led cruise to Sturgeon Bay out of Racine July 20 to 24. We are planning on doing the trip, and we always have a great time. Let me know if you would like more info.

I would love to do it but work won't let either my wife or I off for that many days in July. Maybe we can get togehter for a day cruise up to Racine or Milwaukee.

 

[Registered]

Congrats on the new home, Bob!

I really wish I would have stayed at Northpoint a few more weeks.

 

[320Bob]

Congrats on the new home, Bob!

I really wish I would have stayed at Northpoint a few more weeks.

So what river marina did you decide to keep your boat?